Farmers in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, produce stockable seed of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in brackish-water ponds using practical, low-investment methods. Core husbandry covers pond preparation and water management, simple biological aids that stimulate natural food, and in-pond shelters suited to smallholder conditions as well as scalable operations.

Two broodstock pathways are used: wild-caught berried females sourced from local rivers and brooders reared in freshwater grow-out, each with trade-offs in reliability, handling and consistency. Routine practice spans harvest timing, grading, packing and transport to regional buyers. The approach creates rural employment, manages weather-linked risks through day-to-day husbandry, and can reduce pressure on riverine seed collections while strengthening local supply chains for scampi culture.